Probably a case like this in every town. Going on in a town near me right now. Maybe more to the story, maybe not. But just based on what was printed, this is serious injustice.

My dad would be serving a life sentence if this nonsense gone on when I was a kid.. what say you?


MOSCOW MILLS – Law enforcement arrested a Moscow Mills man charged with felony child abuse after allegedly leaving marks with a belt on a child in his home.

John Wittenaeur, 39, allegedly struck the boy who is under the age of 12 with a black belt after he placed “slime” in the his sister’s hair.

According to court documents, a staff member at William Cappel Elementary noticed the marks on one of the children Monday, Jan. 12, who subsequently placed a hotline call to Children’s Division.

The Moscow Mills police initially responded and photographed bruises on the boy’s lower back.

However, after that initial investigation, Wittenaeur and another unnamed suspect unenrolled the children from the school district and

“refused to allow Children’s Division in the home,” according to court documents.

However, accompanied by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, law enforcement entered the home Thursday and arrested Wittenaeur on a Class D felony warrant for child abuse, which carries a prison sentence of 1-7 years if convicted.

He’s currently in custody in the Lincoln County Jail on a $30,000 cash-only bond, although the prosecutor’s office filed a motion Friday morning to increase the bond to $50,000 cash-only. Associate Court Judge Michael Jacobs will likely rule on that request during Wittenaeur’s initial appearance Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.

In addition to Wittenaeur, law enforcement also arrested a woman who lives at the same address on resisting arrest charges. She however has yet to be formally charged, although she remains in custody in the Lincoln County Jail without bond.


https://www.lincolncountyjournal.co...opbjBun3Q2qMD_aem_Q3cMQdcET1UlS2SaX0hvoQ

Ol dad

They're likely punishing the parents for not submitting to a home search and withdrawing the child from school. They challenged their authority. In cases where no or very minor charges will be filed, law enforcement and prosecution often severely punish people for not cooperating and making their job harder. It's bull crap, but the way things are.

Unless there was life threatening damage, increasing the bail to $50,000 is excessive.

Keith

Wittenaeur needs to be nose knocked and hung on a fence post for domestic terrorism

I'd have to see the kids back and previous history of the guy before I passed judgement.

While I agree with that somewhat, I'd also question HOW the teacher (male or female).... saw belt marks on my child's arse....

The article said the bruises were on the boy's back.

"The Moscow Mills police initially responded and photographed bruises on the boy’s lower back."

Keith

It would seem the boy's punishment doesn't meet the severity's of the offense. I got Dad's 2 1/2" leather belt on occasion growing up when I really screwed up in young life; on my arse, never on my back. I'm in the camp that actions have consequences and punishments should match the level of the crime. Perhaps a spanking rather than the belt; but we weren't there.

Removing the children from school and not allowing child services into the house certainly raises the spector of abuse and forced interventions.

The lower back and buttocks are very close... the question remains the same... HOW and WHY did the teacher see these marks?

Boy probably had marks on his hands and arms as well. "You better move them hands or its going to be worse." There is probably more to the story. The boy was probably showing his friends when a teacher butted in.

The state believes they own your children

The “lower back” was as close as they could get and still be in the “not lying tolerance”.

Well crap. I have a grandson who I'm helping to raise since the father is absent. I'm not a spare the rod type person. If the incident calls for a belt it would happen. Reckon I will be on the arrest list.

Exactly. A lot of jumping to this guys defense here, but he may be an abuser. Can't tell much from this little story.

So the kid is regularly abused and a teacher just noticed this late in the school year?

For Pete’s sake, read the signs Trapper.

Maybe. Maybe not. Like I said. we don;t know much from one little article.

If a child is getting smacked around regularly, people know. 55 years ago they didn’t say anything because they minded their own, but they knew……and yes, even the other kids knew.

My old man never used a belt, but did use his hand a few times. Mom had a wooden spoon and one time a metal spoon. That one hurt. But it was my butt. Not my spine. So for me ir depends on where exactly the lower back is. Dude crossed the line if he’s just swinging and hitting wherever he can.

While I agree with that somewhat, I'd also question HOW the teacher (male or female).... saw belt marks on my child's arse....
[/quote]

The article said the bruises were on the boy's back.

"The Moscow Mills police initially responded and photographed bruises on the boy’s lower back."

Keith[/quote]
Every media report of "child abuse" by spanking I've ever read said the marks were on the "lower back". Not sure if they don't want to say the kid got his butt whipped, if it is considered your lower back clear down until it becomes your legs, or if it is intentional misrepresented to make it sound more like abuse. But regardless, I agree with Angela, I'd be questioning how the teacher saw said marks. (maybe PE locker room?)

Obviously you can't believe what you read in media, but my immediate impression is that we should give Wittenauer a belt and some time with prosecutor, and the narcing teacher, since they obviously weren't beat enough as kids.

Would sure be a shame to send a father to jail and remove him from a family if he’s just giving his son a good old fashioned leather lesson.

However, if he’s abusing his child then I hope he’s hung in the street. Only an enormous coward beats on a child.

A women at the same address was arrested on resisting arrest charges. That sounds sketchy to me.